Vietnam and Malaysia effectively compete with Thailand for China’s durian market, increasing exports despite quality issues.
China’s largest durian market, the world’s largest, has become a battleground for fierce competition among Southeast Asian countries. In 2024, China’s durian imports reached a record $6.99 billion, intensifying the rivalry between Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia for dominance in supplying this exotic fruit.
According to customs data, China imported 15.6 billion kilograms of durian in 2024, an increase of 9.4% from the previous year. The value of these imports reached an all-time high, rising by 4.1%. While this growth appears modest compared to the 66% surge in 2023—when Vietnam actively entered the Chinese market—it signals a steady increase in demand. China spent nearly $160 million in December alone on durian, reflecting a 12% increase compared to December 2023. Almost all of China’s durian imports come from overseas suppliers.
Thailand dominated the Chinese market for a long time, controlling 68% of imports in 2023. However, its share dropped to 57% in 2024. Experts attribute this to quality problems caused by the overutilization of industrial plantations and lower production after extreme heat.
The situation was exacerbated by the discovery of excessive amounts of the carcinogenic chemical dye Basic Yellow 2 in Thai and Vietnamese durian. China’s General Administration of Customs required Thailand and Vietnam to provide product test reports. Since Jan. 10, Chinese authorities have conducted random fruit inspections at all border crossings.
According to the Thai publication Vision Thai, Chinese customs returned about 100 containers of durians shipped before Jan. 10, causing a loss of 500 million baht ($14.6 million) to producers. Thailand soon resumed durian exports to China after a temporary ban.
Amid Thailand’s difficulties, Vietnam, the second-largest supplier, increased durian exports to China by 14.6% in December and 37.56% for 2024, reaching $2.9 billion.
Despite declining domestic demand and spending cuts, China’s middle class continues to consume this flavorful, albeit odor-specific, fruit. This is fueling competition among Southeast Asian countries for a share of the lucrative Chinese market.
Malaysia, which received permission to import fresh durian to China in June 2024 and shipped its first shipment in August, exported $5.7 million durian in the last five months of the year. After receiving authorization in April 2023, the Philippines increased exports by 144.4 percent in 2024 to $32.5 million. Indonesia is also actively seeking permission to directly export fresh durian to China, counting on its market share that officials estimate could reach $7.88 billion.
The popularity of durian in China has led to a flurry of promotions, themed dishes and products based on it. One restaurant in Shenzhen has attracted attention with a menu of more than 200 dishes using the fruit. High-quality durian fruits are mainly presented as wedding gifts.
Although China has begun growing its durian on the southern island of Hainan to meet some demand, initial harvests are small, as durian trees take several years to mature fully. In addition, concerns have been raised about the nutritional value of the local fruit, as a recent study showed that it lacks a vital antioxidant typically found in durian. Thus, the battle for the Chinese durian market continues and its outcome is still unpredictable.
Read More Articles Here
Read More Articles Here
